What comes to mind when you think of visiting Switzerland? Is it Julie Andrews whirling around singing atop of a spectacular mountain peak? Although it’s hard not to associate the country with the movie, maybe you think instead of cheese or chocolate.

Fans of Canadian superstar Justin Bieber are able to get an intimate look at his early life through a museum exhibit in his hometown of Stratford, Ontario (and here's a map of Justin's Stratford!). The Stratford Perth Museum — located in the small city in southwestern Ontario where Bieber grew up and launched his meteoric rise as a teenager to the top of music charts around the world —recently opened an exhibit featuring a one-of-a-kind collection of Bieber memorabilia.

At the heart of what it means to be Canadian there’s surely something maple. Celebrating our first sign of spring and capturing the essence of the season points us to stands of maple trees and the nearby sugar shack producing Canada’s iconic liquid gold. Stratford Tourism invites you to tap into something sweet on the Stratford Maple Trail, offering 18 modern maple tastes. This self-guided tasting tour presents a unique culinary experience celebrating spring the Canadian way from March 1 to April 30.

The days leading up to a vacation are torture. Work needs to get done, but the thoughts of a piña colada in your hand, the sun on your face, the smell of salty water, and, of course, not working, are all way more fascinating. It’s not every day one gets a vacation, compared to yet another RFP – your 8th that week. Can’t work get on the same page and go take a hike? I hear it’ll be beautiful from the top!

San Antonio, Texas is observing 300 years since its founding in 1718 by Spain through its network of Franciscan friars. Tricentennial celebrations, such as lectures, musical programs, and educational events, are taking place all year long around town.

But since its opening at the San Antonio Museum of Art in February, a blockbuster art exhibit has been drawing crowds from near and far. One reason is that “San Antonio 1718: Art from Viceregal Mexico,” focuses exclusively on San Antonio’s first 100 years.

Language learning is a lifelong process with a universe of space for improvements. Beginners will struggle with the pronunciation and proper sentence structures. The intermediate level learners have their own minefield. Mastering the skill of writing spreads from first school papers to Shakespeare essays. Put some effort into it to hone your business emails, official reports, and polite requests.

Tim Hannigan was born in Penzance in the far west of the UK, and grew up on the stormy shores of the Atlantic. After leaving school, he worked as a chef to fund his travels, before studying journalism at the University of Gloucester. He then headed to Indonesia to teach English. He stayed on in the country for several years as a journalist and travel writer. His first book, Murder in the Hindu Kush, was published in 2011, and was shortlisted for the Boardman-Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature.